HEAL

HEAL (Health Empowerment & Arts Leverage) is a specialized arts-based program to explore youth voice and build resiliency and wellness. Throughout the duration of the program, participants ages 13 to 29 will receive ongoing support and positive mentorship from performing artists and facilitators. Youth are guided through weekly workshops to unpack experiences, difficulties, and trauma and create original songs, poems, and spoken word pieces as a way to learn and grow towards wellness through creativity.

This program is free and is hosted in a safe space with trained trauma-informed arts facilitators. Workshops take place in Scarborough (Toronto) and in the City of Markham (York Region). All youth from those areas are welcome to participate, and no previous artistic experience is necessary to join the workshops. Activities occur in a variation of in-person, virtual, and hybrid formats.

In addition to the program, all participants will receive:

  • A free welcome kit (valued at $40)

  • Complimentary program materials

  • Program refreshments at every workshop

  • Opportunity to connect with professional artists and record at Phase One Studios

  • Opportunity to showcase original works at the final HEAL showcase

For more information, contact:
Teagan McCanny
Projects Coordinator
heal@nextgenerationarts.ca
(437) 703-5553

REGISTER TO PARTICIPATE

  • HEAL SCARBOROUGH

    Program Dates:
    Saturdays, April 6 to November 23, 2024
    1pm–3pm

    Location:
    1121 Bellamy Rd N, Unit #10
    Toronto, ON, M1H 3B9

    Download the HEAL Scarborough workshop schedule

    REGISTER FOR SCARBOROUGH

  • HEAL FOCUS GROUPS

    We are inviting South Markham youth aged 13-29 years old to participate in HEAL Focus Groups. The discussion will focus on the intersection of the arts/creative expression and mental well-being.

    Focus Group 1:
    Thursday, April 25 and Thursday, May 2
    4pm–6pm
    105 Gibson Centre (105 Gibson Drive, Markham, ON L3R 3K7)

    Focus Group 2:
    Thursday, May 9 and Thursday, May 16
    4pm–6pm
    Location TBD

    MORE INFORMATION + REGISTER

  • HEAL YORK REGION

    Program Dates:
    Tuesdays, May 7–November 16
    4pm–6pm

    Location:
    Milliken Mills Branch (Markham Public Library)
    7600 Kennedy Rd, Unit #1
    Markham, ON L3R 9S5

    Download the HEAL York Region workshop schedule

    REGISTER FOR YORK REGION

OUR WORKSHOPS

SPOKEN WORD

Embrace the power of storytelling and learn to cultivate your own unique, impactful voice! HEAL spoken word workshops, led by Patrick de Belen, explores poetry and creative writing as a way of self-reflection, self-exploration, and healing. Engage in an act of healing through creative writing, poetry, and spoken word. Excavate your inner storyteller through the exploration of writing prompts, language, and poetry techniques.

PAINTING

Painting can be an outlet of self-expression when feeling anxious or joyful. HEAL painting workshops also create a foundation for a creative portfolio focusing on colour theory, perspective, and painting technique. The connections built in this workshop help youth connect to their community and prepare for a successful future.

Participants receive all necessary art materials to take part in painting sessions.

MUSIC AND SONGWRITING

Hip-hop artist Dan-e-o leads participants through the essential skills a songwriter needs to express themselves through music. Hip-hop music and songwriting sessions focus on musical theory, language skills, rhyming techniques, and songwriting tips, translating these skills into forms of coping and wellness.

Participants will write over lyric-free, original beats, and make connections in the arts industry through recording or performance opportunities.

PAST HEAL PROJECTS

Listen to the original music and spoken word tracks created by youth participants of the HEAL program. All songs and spoken word tracks were recorded, mixed, and mastered at Scarborough’s legendary Phase One Studios.